Economic History

Michael Dillon looks at the little-known and less appreciated activities of a trader class that provided a solid base for the prosperity the Ming and Qing Chinese empires.

Peter Clarke looks at the memory of the influential economist

by Patricia Crone

Jonathan Israel charts the progress from commercial competition to open war and finally 'snarling alliance' of two assertive naval powers.

Charles Boxer examines the impact of 1688 on Anglo-Dutch relationship with nations east of Suez.

Bartholomew Dias' voyage to the Cape of Good Hope in the late 15th century marked the apex of an extraordinary Portuguese expansion overseas and the start of a fateful European impact on South Africa. 

The equation of sound money and balanced budgets with moral probity became difficult to maintain once the high point of 'laissez-faire' had been reached in Gladstone's mid-Victorian financial policies.

Attempts by returning First World War servicemen to unionise were portrayed in intelligence reports as part of a sinister Bolshevik prelude to revolution in Britain.

Buying and selling with our 'kith and kin' was the hallmark of an intensive inter-war campaign for the idea of Empire.

'Woman's work is never done...' - a small team of women inspectors strove energetically in turn-of-the-century Britain to reduce excess hours and abuses in factory and home work.